New | Foreign journalists call for greater international scrutiny of Hong Kong press freedom
Foreign Correspondents’ Club and foreign journalists call for united resistance against attacks on the press
Attacks on high profile Hong Kong media figures have had a “chilling effect” on both local and foreign media, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club has warned.
Francis Moriarty, head of the FCC’s press freedom committee, urged overseas governments to watch, monitor and comment on the situation, though he conceded there was little they could do to protect journalists in Hong Kong.
His comments followed an assault on two senior executives of Hong Kong Morning News Media Group by masked men in broad daylight in Tsim Sha Tsui on March 19 and a chopping attack on the former Ming Pao chief editor Kevin Lau Chun-to in San Wan Ho on February 26. The executives were discharged from hospital the evening of the attack, but Lau suffered far more severe injuries and is facing years of rehabilitation.
“The attacks of course have a chilling effect. That’s why 13,000 journalists and supporters marched for press freedom,” said Moriarty, referring to public demonstrations that followed the attacks.
“I don’t think there’s anything any overseas government can do to protect us, but it’s important they watch and monitor and comment. The Hong Kong public cares a great deal about how Hong Kong is perceived overseas because it affects views of potential investors.”
When contacted on Friday a spokesman for the US Consulate General for Hong Kong and Macau reiterated a statement from the State Department saying the US had been “troubled” by a series of incidents over the past year targeting Hong Kong media figures.
The State Department’s spokeswoman Jen Psaki last month urged Hong Kong authorities to “fully and transparently investigate these incidents”.
